The time for teenagers to seek summer jobs has arrived. Subsequently, hiring employers, along with job-seeking teenagers and their parents, would be wise to become familiar with state and federal child labor laws.
In summary, federal child labor law:
- Sets the minimum legal work age at 14
- Prohibits employing youths under 18 in dangerous jobs
- Limits the work hours that employers may schedule for employees of age 14-15
Federal child labor law is regulated by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA), a landmark federal labor law that also regulates minimum wage, overtime pay and equal pay.
Did you know? Under the FLSA, employers may pay a subminimum wage to workers under age 20, which is less than the going rate for older workers. See Minimum Wage for more information (also linked above).
The FLSA relaxes summer job work hours for teenagers of age 14-15, because school is typically not in session. Still, employers may not schedule teenagers of age 14-15 to work summer jobs before 7 A.M. or after 9 P.M., or to work more than 40 hours per week. In other words, under the FLSA, employers may not schedule overtime for teenagers of age 14-15.
The FLSA sets only the minimum provisions in all states. States may enact their own child labor laws with more restrictive provisions than those in the FLSA, as many states have; for example, several states require work permits of some sort for minors to be employed, while the FLSA does not.
Teenagers who work summer jobs are protected by whichever law at the federal or state level affords the most protection, as are teenagers who work in other seasons.
This is just a quick summary of child labor laws as they apply to summer jobs. Additionally, as with most laws, there are exceptions. For more information, start with Child Labor or browse the appropriate state labor department Web site for child labor law topics.
Consult an attorney for child labor legal advice that fits your particular situation.
